I have had a chronic cough for over 20 years. For the last 3 years, my doctor has had me on hydrocodone cough syrup. It has worked to get rid of my cough, but now I am dependent on it. I have to take it at least 4-5 times a day. Without it I am very anxious, but with it I am starting to notice some paranoia (after using it for so long). I am considering taking myself off of it. I have had several allergy tests that have come up negative, I have also been ruled out as having asthma, bronchitis, and many other ailments. When the cough is present, it starts with a tickle in the back of my throat and results in a terrible cough with loads of mucus, tearing eyes,and a feeling like asthma when the mucus seems to clog my airways. It will come on several times a day and is very scary. If there is any one with similar situation, please help. I am at my wits end.

You may have GERD. I've had a chronic cough for three years the doctors ran many tests and scratched there heads. Finally one sent me to a GI doctor. He ran some more tests and found out acid (even though I had no heartburn) was rising up and flowing over into my lungs. This was causing a mucus build up in my throat. It was causing a hacking cough with phelm.

I've posted my troubles (about my 7 year cough) in the GERD thread. Wasn't sure where else to go on about it. I know how you feel! I am completely at my wit's end and have JUST told yet another doctor that very thing. I have been to so many specialists that I am convinced that nobody can help me at this point. For me, I don't think it's asthma/allergy related.

The only med that has helped me throughout all these years was Deconamine. But, while effective (about 55% so) the effectiveness waned. I have been on so many different meds at diff. points in time with none eradicating the cough. I too cannot stand it any more.

The next new ENT I will see, I am going to investigate the GERD again in addition to something new; irritable larynx syndrome (see here)

I don't know if it's what I have but I am going to check this out. I took this idea to the cough clinic I was going to in the Bronx, but it was met with great discouragement. The professional actually said, "I wish people didn't have computers." I countered that with, "that's how I found you." So, needless to say, this didn't help my quest in findind a cure for the suffering. And, it is suffering indeed. I didn't think anyone could ever understand the daily suffering I endure. I cannot read to my kids, or carry on a conversation at times. The cough is so violent and sporadic too but, I know when it's just about to occur. Oh, and then there's the incontinence associated with this too which makes the problem infintely worse.

I've had all the same symptoms ruled out that you've had can'tstandthiscough and that is how I feel too. I have the mucus, I clear my throat alot and it is all very tiring, frustrating, infuriating and even depressing at times. Now that I am into these forums, hopefully with the ideas and support here, we can help one another. I have appt's next week and will post my results. Until then, may our coughs be fewer than normal.

I am not a smoker. The only cigarettes I've ever smoked was 4, in a row, when I was 17; 25 years ago. Hate to even be near a smoker.I wish there was a quick fix as I've been able to stump every specialist going.Orange E

Perhaps an NAET practitioner (see www.naet.com for more info; I have no financial connection with this website) could identify and desensitize you to the cause of this tickle cough...

Or could be a chiropractic adjustment to the part of the spine/neck that corresponds to the area where you feel the tickle would help - misaligned vertebrae can irritate nerves and a chronic cough could be one manifestation of this.-Razzle

For me, I've been through the littany of Allergy testing and tired Chiropractic for months. There was one minor help with the Chiro but it wasn't in the adjustments. She gave me pills called Allerplex. I think they were 3 pills 3x/day (it's been a while so I am not 100% sure). But in the beginning, they seemed to provide some relief probably because they had some decongestion powers? But, in the end, both were not able to fully help.

From Allergist to Gastro to ENT to Chiro to Pulm. to cough clinic...no dice yet. Going to check out the NAET info and see what that's all about. At least there is support here to bounce ideas and have a sharing of like problems...and that means alot right now!

Yes to BRAVO only, and boy was that uncomfortable. It showed no reflux (at the time). But I am thinking things have changed even though my cough has been persistent and intolerable. This was inserted during 1 of 3 EDG's which again showed no errosion.

Barium swallow or manometry have not been done, nor offered as a test to do. I am going to a new ENT and am bringing my "rap sheet" of doctors and procedures done thus far. I have to say I am going into this one not as hopeful as the others. While I am only coughing 7 years versus can'tstandthiscough having endured 20, I am almost convinced nobody can help me at this point. But, while disocuraged, I really am finding some good avenues to persue here.

Gluten has been known to irritate the nervous system in those who are sensitive (Celiac Disease, non-Celiac gluten sensitivity). Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley (also often in oats due to cross-contamination with wheat).

@ couchtater...My BRAVO was more uncomfortable when food passed by it that anything. I recall that was the worst part of it and it almost made me not want to eat or at least change to softer foods during that time. But, it didn't show that I had GERD or AR.

Today, I went to a new ENT and asked to finally get a catscan of my sinuses. So, waiting on that date. Also, he's going to do a more extensive allergy testing. But, I am still focusing on PND and a possible GERD combo. He gave me a Rx for Hycodan (never took this before) as he thinks it will relieve the cough when about 15 other meds haven't.

I asked him about Irritable Larynx Syndrome but he too kinda dismissed it (as a previous Doc I saw did). I also mentioned, what about a bacteria from water spray? Again, looked at me like I was grasping...and I am. I need to stop coughing.

I cannot laugh or read to my kids without going into coughing fit hell.

Ugh...that is just about the only thing I can muster after my last round of Dr. visits. I finally had a catscan of my sinuses (and why that hasn't been done until now, who knows). I will find out on Tues. how a more detailed allergy test pans out in addition to what the sinus shows.

I know I have PND and I know I suffer every single day with this cough. Having also just gone to a cardiologist for scary chest pains, just leaves me more frustrated. I am not confident that I am believe and I am not confident they (any of the Dr.'s) can help me; relieve my cough.

I will keep trying though as being able to read a book to my kids without coughing is my goal. Heck, even being able to get a sentence out without coughing words would be a bonus. Orange E

First days, I'm always wired. The feelings will diminish as your dosage goes down and it leaves your system.My doctor made me take the codiene syrup to knock me out when it hypes me too much to sleep.I just got finished with a six day pack myself. Today is day seven and I'm still wired some, but not like the first day was. I've gotten used to it. I've had to take it at least three to four times a year, sometimes one after another. Thanks to my GERD related asthma that turns to bronchitis quickly. This year it turned to pnuemonia. >:((